"You and I"

This is probably most appropriate for those who work in residential facilities.

I work in a residential facility for children and adults who are MR/DD.
Just thought I'd share.
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You and I

I am a resident. You reside.
I am admitted. You move in.
I am aggressive. You are assertive.
I have behavior problems. You are rude.
I am non-compliant. You don't like being told what to do.

When I ask you out for dinner, its an outing.
When you ask someone out, its a date.

I don't know how many people have read the progress notes people write about me. I don't even know what is in there.
You didn't speak to your best friend for a month after they read your journal.

I make mistakes during my check-writing program. Someday I might get a bank account. You forgot to record some withdrawls from you account. The bank called to remind you.

I wanted to talk with the nice looking person behind us at the grocery store. I was told that it was inappropriate to talk to strangers. You met your spouse in the produce department. They couldn't find the bean sprouts.

I celebrated my birthday yesterday with five other residents and two staff members. I hope my family sends a card. Your family threw you a surprise party. Your brother couldn't make it from out of state. It sounded wonderful.

My case manager sends a report every month to my guardian.
It says everything I did wrong and some things I did right.
You are still mad at your sister for calling your mom after you got that speeding ticket.

I am on a special diet because I am five pounds over my ideal body weight. Your doctor gave up telling you. I am learning household skills. You hate housework. I am learning leisure skills. Your shirt says you are a "couch potato."

After I do my budget program tonight, I might get to go to McDonalds if I have enough money. You were glad the new french restaurant took your charge card.

My Case Manager, Psychologist, R.N., Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist and house staff set goals for me for the next year. You haven't decided what you want out of life.

Someday I will be discharged - maybe.
You will move onward and upward!

[QUOTE=KeniRN]This is probably most appropriate for those who work in residential facilities.

I work in a residential facility for children and adults who are MR/DD.
Just thought I'd share.
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I used to work in the same setting(as a direct care staff,among other things).

Mar 1, '04

wow. kinda puts things in a different perspective, doesn't it?

Mar 1, '04

I gotta get my printer working. I too work in LTC for adult and children with MRDD as well as multi med handicapps that would be so awsome to post at work. That is if mangament found it appropriate pc and non offensive.

Mar 1, '04

Angelbear, I this was actually handed out at one of our inservices. If everyone kept this in the back of their minds, we wouldn't have the direct care issues we do in a lot of LTC facilities (staff lying to the nurses and telling then they DID shower the resident, even though the resident reaks of b.o. and their hair looks as if it hasn't been washed in 6 days :angryfire )
I'm sure these are issues that have been beaten to death on another thread